Italy’s Salvini open to coalition with 5Stars

ROME — The leader of Italy’s far-right League said Wednesday he was open to forming a governing coalition with other parties, including the anti-establishment 5Star Movement — but not the center-left Democratic Party.

The League's center-right alliance with Silvio Berlusconi's Forza Italia emerged as the largest political force in the March 4 election with 37 percent of the vote, but fell short of the 40 percent threshold needed to reach a majority in parliament. Party leader Matteo Salvini said the League would therefore consider teaming up with additional parties, including the anti-establishment 5Star Movement, which has in the past rejected forming coalitions.

Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni's Democratic Party (PD), however, was out of the question for Salvini.

“Excluding the PD, everything is possible,” Salvini said at a press conference at Rome’s foreign press club, responding to questions about the possible alliances that could form following the inconclusive election.

The 5Stars emerged as the largest single party, with more than 32 percent of the vote. The PD scored its worst result ever, with less than 19 percent. No party or coalition had enough support to govern on its own.

An alliance between the League and the 5Stars, both of which have Euroskeptic tendencies, would be a challenge for Brussels, though both parties have toned down their anti-EU positions.

“We are working to build a government based on a solid political majority, not grabbing [other parties’] dissidents here and there,” Salvini said. “I don’t want to be prime minister at all costs.”

If the League entered a coalition with the 5Star Movement, Salvini would have to compete with the party's leader, Luigi Di Maio, for the post of prime minister. Salvini said he had “no prejudices” as to who should get the top job.

Salvini said he planned to call Di Maio later on Wednesday for the first time since the vote to discuss the upcoming election ofspeakers for each house of parliament.

The choice of speakers for the lower house of parliament and the Senate, due after March 23, will provide the first hint as to possible alliances before parties consult with President Sergio Mattarella about forming a new government.